UZGA will present the export variant of the Forpost-RE strike-and-reconnaissance unmanned aerial system (UAS) and the UTS-800 turboprop trainer. This marks the company’s first participation in the airshow; both platforms target international markets, the manufacturer’s press office said.
The Forpost-RE export complex is based on the Russian Forpost-R UAS, whose lineage traces to the Israeli IAI Searcher Mk II produced under license. After component supply restrictions in 2016, Russia initiated a comprehensive domestic adaptation program. That effort produced a fully localized variant that preserves the original airframe architecture while integrating new onboard equipment and upgraded control systems. The modernized aircraft flew for the first time in August 2019, and following flight tests the Russian Ministry of Defense awarded UZGA serial-supply contracts.
A key element of import substitution was replacing the original MOSP-3000 electro-optical/IR (EO/IR) payload with domestically developed GOES-4 and GOES-540 gyro-stabilized EO modules, produced by NPP Aviation and Marine Electronics and UOMZ. The compact form factor of the new stabilized turrets maintained the system’s overall mass at the baseline level and ensured compatibility with existing payload mounting arrangements.
According to UZGA, the Forpost-RE is a medium-range platform configured for reconnaissance and strike missions. The system provides persistent day/night surveillance of land and maritime targets, target designation, and delivery of precision-guided munitions. Airframe and onboard systems were engineered for extended climatic operation: the platform is rated to operate in temperatures from −40 to +50 °C (−40 to +122 °F), and in high humidity and dusty environments, enhancing suitability for regions with extreme climate variation.
Gulf states view this class of UAS as an asset for coastal monitoring and remote border surveillance. The Forpost-RE’s endurance and ability to operate in hot climates make it suitable for patrol of oil-and-gas infrastructure. The platform’s capability to operate from unprepared fields meets a key regional requirement, UZGA notes.
The second exhibit, the UTS-800 turboprop trainer, is designed for initial pilot training. It is powered by a VK-800S engine and features a glass cockpit architecture to simplify student transition onto modern light and regional aircraft. The aircraft’s configuration supports basic and partial conversion training without add-on modules.
Interest in the UTS-800 may come from states that operate Russian-made equipment in their air forces and value a unified training cycle on a single platform without importing foreign trainers. The UTS-800 is designed for high utilization rates and operation in Middle Eastern climatic conditions.
UZGA views Dubai Airshow 2025 as an opportunity to engage regional customers, expand its export portfolio, and present ready-to-deliver systems for surveillance and aircrew training.
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